ARTS, BRIEFLY; Britain Acquires Major Modern Art Collection

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published: February 28, 2008

A collection of 725 works of modern art valued at $250 million has been bought for Britain for $52 million and will tour the country under the ownership and management of the Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland, the museums said on Wednesday. Described as one of the most important holdings of postwar and contemporary international art in private hands, the collection, featuring names like Diane Arbus, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Sol LeWitt, Robert Mapplethorpe (whose portrait of Patti Smith is shown above), Gerhard Richter and Andy Warhol, was assembled over three decades by the art dealer Anthony d'Offay. Under the name ''Artist Rooms,'' reflecting the concept of devoting individual rooms to particular artists, the works will be seen at museums and galleries across Britain starting in spring 2009. The cost of acquisition, for a price described as Mr. d'Offay's original cost, was met by the Scottish and British governments, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund. Prime Minister Gordon Brown reacted to Mr. d'Offay's contribution by saying, ''Individual acts of generosity like this impact on the lives of millions, and reinforce the U.K.'s richly deserved reputation as having a range of world-leading museums and galleries.''